The 2014 Legislative Session, the Lottery Scholarship, Jeffrey Swanson on Gun Violence
This week, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS turns to a special all-journalist Line opinion panel, to evaluate the recent Legislative session and look at what passed, what failed, and what Governor Susana Martinez may do with her veto pen.
The panelists will discuss the Lottery Scholarship, hospital indigent care funding and how it may impact rural healthcare facilities, and the failure of a new gaming compact with the Navajo Nation. They will also explore how several bills may impact the states economy.
The group will also delve into legislative topics on the clock, including the outlook for the legislative elections later this year – given how many lawmakers are not running again- the future of Amtraks Southwest Chief route, and education issues in the budget.
NMiF Producer Megan Kamerick talks gun violence and mental illness with Jeffrey Swanson, a medical sociologist from Duke University. He delivered lectures this week through the IDEAS in Psychiatry program in the University of New Mexico Psychiatry Department, about common misconceptions regarding mental illness and proposed federal and state-level policy initiatives to help decrease the risk of dangerous people accessing weapons.
GUEST:
Jeffrey Swanson, medical sociologist, Duke University
LINE GUEST PANELISTS:
Dan Boyd, Albuquerque Journal
Sherry Robinson, New Mexico News Services
Rachel Sams, Albuquerque Business First
Steve Terrell, Santa Fe New Mexican
CORRESPONDENT: Megan Kamerick, NMiF Producer
HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.
Episode 735 for air February 28, 2014